Anorexia Nervosa Body Image Analysis

Glorification of Body Image by the Media
The United States has seen a rise of Anorexia Nervosa among its people and is doing nothing to combat this problem. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by immoderate food restriction and an irrational fear of gaining weight, as well as a distorted body self-perception. It is, in large part, mental disorder because many times the people that have it are usually at a normal weight and size originally, but their minds allow them to think otherwise. This disorder is beginning to become more prominent in the modeling industry as the models are required to meet certain unrealistic criteria. When walking down the runway or seen in magazines, models often have visible ribs and bones, have an overall emaciated appearance, and look seemingly unhealthy. This is a crisis because not only are the models’ bodies being harmed, but their fans and people who look to them as an inspiration are at risk as well. People who look to them are under the impression that it is okay to look that way and therefore aspire to fit the same criteria. To top it all off, the American media glorifies this appearance, making it something that people strive to acquire rather than a physical
The point is only that the degree of starvation and malnutrition are what determine the physiologic consequences of an eating disorder. Malnutrition affects multiple organ systems including the liver, kidneys, intestine, pancreas, heart, brain, and endocrine system. Without proper protein and calorie input, humans lack the basic building blocks to maintain cells and the energy to power the upkeep of their bodies. The results can be devastating, including but not limited to delayed puberty, lack of normal periods in women, the inability to ovulate (which can lead to infertility), and an increase in blood pressure and heart